Gokyo Ri Trek - 14 Days

The Gokyo valley is another captivating chunk in the Everest region that cuddles a jaw-dropping panorama of the Mighty Everest, coupled with some of the most incredible natural splendors. A tranquil abode to the chain of greenish-blue lakes, snowy massifs and the biggest Himalayan glacier- Ngozumpa Glacier, Gokyo can well be given the nomenclature of a “raw gem” of the Khumbu region. For the adventure aspirants who don’t endeavor to put up with the crowds, congestion, commercialism and huff and puffs while the trekking to the Everest base camp, Gokyo is a welcome diversion.

The Gokyo Ri Trek, can well be an easy and almost congruent substitute for the Everest Base Camp Trek. The trail traces the route to the Everest Base Camp until Sanasa, above Namche Bazaar, and from thereon, detours along the Dudh Koshi river till it merges with its source at the moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. The adventure kicks off with a scenic flight to Lukla (2840 m) and a trek to Phakding (2610 m) on the very day. We will then advance to Namche Bazaar, the sophisticated headquarter of Khumbu region, the next day. In the days ahead, we will be passing through the beautiful villages of Phortse, Machhermo, which gives us the real sense of the life patterns of the high altitude dwellers. Stepping in to Gokyo, we are certain to be elated, beholding the beauty of the Ngozumpa Glacier, the biggest in Nepal. The ascent to the Gokyo Ri (5357 m) might twinge your joints, but once at you are at the top, we bet, you will be showering your glances insatiably at the mountainous vista of Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu & Makalu, with your eyebrows comically raised and mouth ridiculously wide open! The ice ridge between Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Gyachung is another spectacular sight.

When was the last time you got profoundly intimate with mother-nature? Well, if you haven’t, the Gokyo Ri Trek gives you this opportunity to make it the first, the last and the most memorable one!!

Day 09: Acclimatization day at Gokyo/Ascent to Gokyo Ri(5357m/5 - 6 hrs)

Day 10: Trek from Gokyo to Dole (4110m/3 - 4 hrs)

Day 11: Trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar (3440m/4 - 5 hrs)

Day 12: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2840m/6 - 7hrs)

Day 13: Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1400m/25min)

Day 14: Departure to your homeland

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Important Snippets

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1400m)

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and then transferred to your designated hotel. Once at the hotel, you are greeted with welcome drinks. We will then have a quick pre-trip meeting, where you are briefed on the trekking itineraries and some formalities that ought to be pursued. Depending on the time remaining, you can either rest or stroll around the vicinity of your hotel to get the feel of this busy, colorful and energetic capital of Nepal. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

Day 02: Kathmandu city sightseeing (1400m)

Let’s savor the succulent breakfast and get ready for a guided tour to the historic, religious and cultural sites of Kathmandu. Hop in to our transport vehicle with an experienced city guide and drive through the hullabaloo of Kathmandu. Our guide will be taking you to visit the renowned sites listed in the UNESCO world’s heritage list- the Pasupatinath Temple (the most revered Hindu shrine), Swayambunath (the Monkey Temple). Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square. After this interesting and informative tour, we drive back to the hotel. You can now head for shopping the trekking goodies. Most of the items are available on rent. You can take the help of our guide in identifying the best rental outlet. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast included.

We take an early morning flight Lukla after breakfast. In about 45 minutes, we land at the Tenjing Hillary airport in Lulka, picturesquely surrounded by mountains. These 45 minutes on board is going to be the best aerial journey you have had so far. We now meet up with our trekking crew and get acquainted to each other. After some unpacking and arrangements, we then proceed for our trek through the village of Lukla until we reach Phakding. Chaurikharka School, Chablung, Tharo Koshi, Ghat etc are some of the sites that entice you along the trail. On reaching Phakding, we have our lunch and then if interested, can go on a short hike to the nearby monastery. This could help getting acclimatized to the high elevation. Overnight at teahouse in Phakding; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 04: Trek from Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3440m / 5 - 6 hrs)

The trail leads us along the Dudh Koshi River, through the pine forest and many suspension bridges, including the very famous, Hillary Suspension Bridge. The route then leads straight up beyond a waterfall, from where we get a breathtaking view of Mt. Thamserku (6618 m). Advancing further, we come to a check post which also happens to be the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park. As we continue our ascent through the forests and bridges, we approach the confluence of Dudh Koshi and Bhote Koshi Rivers. Trudging up further for about 2 hours brings us to Chautari (resting place), wherefrom we can relish the splendid sight of the Mt. Everest almost belittling the Lhotse-Nuptse ridge. Passing through one last settlement, the Jorsale village, we ultimately reach Namche Bazaar in about 2 hours. Namche Bazaar is the administrative center of the Khumbu region and is also the gateway to the Mount Everest. Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

This is a rest day but we are not following the literal meaning of rest by lying flat all day. We have to be on the move to get acclimatized for the steeper climbs in the days ahead. Visiting the Sherpa Museum and Namche Gompa would be a wonderful retreat. About 3-4 hrs of trek today would provide us a good acclimatization. It gives you a perfect visual of the Sherpa culture and their way of life. Namche Bazaar houses most of the government offices and has all the modern amenities like- internet cafes, restaurants, ATMs etc. Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar; breakfast lunch, and dinner included.

That one extra day at Namche has probably made us all feel well rested. Let’s have some breakfast and we will resume our trek along the bumpy trail relishing the view of Mt. Lhotse, Nuptse, Everest, Ama Dablam and Thamserku. You will possibly get a chance to spot on some of the wild lives like Pheasant, Himalayan Thar and even Musk Deer. We now embark on the downhill route until we arrive at Kyanjuma. Moving ahead, the path then takes us to Sansa, from where it bifurcates into two different trails- one that leads to the Everest Base Camp and the other to Gokyo Valley. We embark on the later and move gradually up to the Mong La Pass (3975 m).The pass offers you spectacular view of Mt. Ama Dablam, Mt. Thamserku, Mt.Tawoche & Mt. Khumbila . From here we trail down through the pine forests to the Dudh Koshi River and arrive at Phortse Thenga (3680 m). We now cross a suspension bridge over the river, and make an immediate ascent through the rhododendron clusters till we get to Phortse, poised at the lower slopes of Mt. Tawoche. Overnight at teahouse in Phortse; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 07: Trek from Phortse to Machhermo (4470m / 5 - 6 hrs)

The Gokyo Ri trek is not about rushing. The climbs in the days ahead are steep and high subsequently making one prone to altitude sickness. So we are supposed to be slow but steady. We retrace our steps back and continue trailing until we reach Phortse Thenga (3680 m). From here, we trek easy and relatively flat to the village of Dole (4110 m). It offers good views of Mt. Khumbila and Mt. Tawoche and is also a favored trekkers’ stop. Path from Dole to Machhermo is significantly steep that takes you out of the dense forest to more of a barren hillside vegetated with dotted scrub junipers. We trail ahead past a chorten and make an ascent to the village of Lhabarma (4330 m). Relishing some fascinating views of Cho Oyu, Kantega and Thamserku, we move ahead and pass through many summer settlements including Luza (4360 m). Making our ascent along a hillside above Dudh Koshi River, we pass by few more meager settlements and sandy hillocks until we finally arrive at Machhermo, the last major settlement on the way to Gokyo. Towards the north of the village, there is a rescue post named as ‘International Porter Protection Group’, which provides emergency treatment to the porters and trekkers and also educates them about Acute Mountain Sickness. Overnight at teahouse in Machhermo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 08: Trek from Machhermo to Gokyo (4790 m/ 5 – 6 hrs)

Kissing goodbye to the foothills of Machhermo, we make our way into to the moonscape of high mountains. The root takes us steeply up to the cluster of chortens on the hillock. On the way, you get to enjoy the view of Mt. Kantega and the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. Moving ahead, we pass by the tiny settlement of Pangka, which has brutal history of some 40 people being killed by the avalanche in 1995. Let’s be generous enough to offer our empathy to the families of the departed souls. After this emotional moment, we make our way further down the bank of the Dudh Koshi River and then ascend right away to the mound of sand and rubble at the end of the Ngozumpa Glacier. This ascent is quite steep. We now cross a bridge over a stream and pass by the first lake- Longponga Tsho (4710 m). As we make our way ahead along a leveled trail, we cross a barren landscape and pass by yet another lake- Taboche Tsho (4740 m). We are not yet finished with the lakes. We advance further through the randomly grown rhododendron clusters, and pass by the final lake, Dudh Pokhari, which literally means ‘milk pond’. The beautiful Gokyo valley stands on the shores of this third lake. We relax on the comfy beds of the teahouse contemplating on the thrill and adventure of tomorrow. Overnight at teahouse in Gokyo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

The beds at Gokyo are indeed comfortable, but we are not lying here all day. In fact today, we will be reaching the highest point of this trek; God forbid the bad weather! Gokyo Ri is located to the north of Dudh Pokhari. We head northwards from the village and cross a stream. Trudging up the steep route for about 3 hrs, we get to the apex of Gokyo Ri, an exclusive vantage point offering you the jaw-dropping views of Cho Oyu, Everest, Cholatse, Makalu, Tawoche and also the Ngozumpa Glacier. The elation and ecstasy of ascending to the Gokyo Ri isn’t lesser than being at Kalapathhar in any way. Gokyo is not just all about Gokyo Ri, but the six sacred lakes are also the emblem of magnificence of this valley. On day 8, we already came across four of the lakes. If we are not too worn out with the ascent to Gokyo Ri, we can go for an excursion to two of the remaining lakes- Thonak Sho and Ngozumpa Sho. When we climb to a hill at the edge of these two lakes, we get to a grassy ground festooned with prayer flags, known locally as “the Scoundrel’s Viewpoint (5000 m). It offers unobstructed views of Cho Oyu, north face of the Everest and the upper expanse of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Relishing the beauty and adventure of the surrounding, we trace back to Gokyo for overnight stay. Overnight at teahouse in Gokyo; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10: Trek from Gokyo to Dole (4110 m / 3 - 4 hrs)

Our previous day at Gokyo was pretty busy. We had a good acclimatization but not the kind of rest we would have wanted. It’s not something to bother about, because our today’s trek is an easy downhill walk. We trail down along the Dudh Koshi River and pass by the second and first lakes. A little ahead, we cross a bridge over a stream and arrive at Phangka. From here, we again descend to a terrace and then make a fair ascent to a ridge, arriving at edge of Chorten. Relishing the view of Thamserku, Kantega and Cho Oyu, we continue our descent and pass by the villages of Machhermo, Luza and Lhafarma, until we finally arrive at Dole, beautifully poised close to the Phune river. You can enjoy the superb view of Mt. Khumbila and Mt. Tawoche to the south and north respectively. Overnight at teahouse in Dole; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11: Trek from Dole to Namche Bazaar (3440m/4 - 5 hrs)

After that good night’s rest at Dole, it’s time now to bid farewell and move ahead. We descend to Phortse Thenga. Continuing our trek along the live trail embellished with rhododendrons and colorful wild flowers, and spotting various faunas at the same time, we cross the Mong La pass. Let’s admire the beauty of Mt Khumbila, Mt. Thamserku, Mt. Ama Dablam and Mt. Kantega. Of course, they glare at us in the same indifferent way, but we now know them all so very well, don’t we? A lengthy walk from here, will take us to Sansa, the junction to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo. From Sansa, we embark on a curvy uphill route to Kyangjuma and then to the Namche army camp hill. Short hike from here will get us to the loud Namche Bazaar. Big sigh of relief! We can rest and enjoy the modern amenities of the hotels here. Overnight at teahouse in Namche Bazaar; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12 : Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla (2840m/6 - 7 hrs)

It is a lengthy trek, but the enthusiasm of accomplishing the trek would probably get us going without complains! Let’s begin with a steep descent down the rocky terrain. We cross and re-cross the Dudh Koshi river over different suspension bridges and continue trailing along a leveled route. Passing by some splendid waterfalls, we cross the famous Hillary suspension bridge, which brings to the Sherpa village-Phakding. The towering mountains now seem to be whispering good bye to us, urging us to make a commitment to come back and see them again sometime in future. Trailing ahead along the prayer flags, enjoying the cool breeze, we arrive at Lukla; tired but content! We can feel the muscles aching, yet we manage to flash a smile at everyone we meet. Its natural…we’ve eventually made it!!! Celebrate the success with the crew members and staffs. We want you to make a promise that you will be back to Nepal very soon. Overnight at teahouse in Lukla; breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 13 : Fly from Lukla to Kathmandu (1400m/45min)

Well, you must all be eager to hit the sky after walking for almost two weeks! Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu is outstandingly scenic. Generally, we take a morning flight, as weather could be capricious in the afternoon. Once you land at the domestic wing of the Kathmandu airport, you will be received by a representative from Marron Treks and then transferred to your hotel. You still have a whole chunk of the day remaining. So you can make the best use of time going in for a shopping. Thamel is the tourists’ shopping stop. It’s your last night in Nepal, and we want it to be memorable. In the evening, Marron Treks will host a farewell dinner featuring the range of delicious Nepali cuisines and a cultural program. You’ve toiled hard during the trek, so we want you to enjoy even harder tonight. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu; breakfast and dinner included.

Day 14: Departure to your homeland

After breakfast, a representative from Marron Treks will escort you to the international airport, three hours prior to your flight schedule. Have a safe flight back home and we look forward to being your adventure companion in Nepal again. You can always extend your trip to try out our other adventurous packages like: Bungy Jumping, Mountain Biking, Jungle Safari, White Water Rafting, Golfing & Paragliding etc. Please let us know about your desire for trip extension so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Important Snippets

The itinerary prescribed above is the standard template of the trip plan offered by Marron Treks which can be readily customized to match the guests’ preferences. However, the guests are expected to understand that the execution of the trip plan might be circumvented by an array of uncontrollable factors like bad weather, political turmoil, strikes, blockades and other unforeseen contingencies. Besides, the domestic flights in Nepal could be subjected to delays or cancellations owing to adverse weather conditions or technical glitches. It is worth mentioning that the flights cannot be operated in the condition where the visibility is less than 1600 meters. Under such abnormal circumstances, the trip plans might undergo slight or sharp alterations, taking into consideration, the best interest of the clients. Wherever the changes are made, Marron Treks cannot be held responsible for the consequences. Nevertheless, we shall endeavor our level best to make sure that the trip is carried out with respect to the original trip specifics.

During the trek, you will be accommodated in a Tea House/ Lodge or Trekking Inn. Most of these lodges and teahouses cater good services and are equipped with modern amenities. We will endeavor to provide you the best accommodation available along the route so that you get a good night’s rest in a hygienic milieu.

Meals:

We arrange the best quality food during the trek as we are concerned about the health of the trekkers as well as the staff members. Basically, we opt for locally available food in the Everest Regionso that you could a real sense of the culture, living patterns, simultaneously promoting the locally available resources of organic food and beverages. Other than, a wide range of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisines like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available for your retreat.

Porter and Staff Care:

We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going to high altitude conditions are provided with adequate clothing and equipments. They are the backbones of a trek.

Best Months:

January-June & September-December are considered to be best months for Gokyo Ri Trek.

Any Experience Required?

No former experience required. Physical fitness is the only key to accomplish this trek.

Our Guides:

Guides play a very active role during the trek. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful treking guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as productive. Our guides are literate, multilingual speakers, environment conscious and well acquainted to culture, language, location and every single detail pertaining to the Everest Region . This would help our trekkers make the most of their trip.

Travel Insurance:

It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip safe and hassle free.

Entrance and monumental fees during the sightseeing in Kathmandu as prescribed in the itinerary.

Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on “BB” basis as per itinerary.

All ground transportation costs in accordance to the itinerary.

All trekking accommodation costs on full board (B, L, D) basis as per the itinerary. The accommodation will be in the guesthouses/ lodges/ teahouses on twin sharing basis but occasionally in the common dormitory (esp. during peak tourist seasons).

Four seasonal sleeping bag (to be returned after trip completion) duffel bag, t-shirt and Cap (provided as complimentary gears).

Nepal entry visa fee – Visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 15 days costs US $ 25 or equivalent foreign currency, Tourist Visa with Multiple Entries for 30 days and 90 days costs US $40 and $ 100 respectively. You will need a valid passport and 2 copies of your recent PP sized photos).

Tips to the guide, porter, driver, hotel and tea-house staffs (Tipping is expected).

Cost incurred due to the addition of extra days or change in the real course of the itinerary because of bad weather conditions, political turmoil or any other unforeseen contingencies like (but not limited to) natural calamities, accidents, illness, thefts, damages etc.

Garbage deposit fees (refundable).

Any other expenses not mentioned in the 'Cost Includes' section above.

TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENTS

Needless to say that kitting and stuffing yourself out for a trek is almost a herculean task which keeps you mulling and often gets you overwhelmed. But at the mercy of the renting outlets sprouting in every visible corner in Kathmandu, preparing for trekking in Nepal these days is almost tantamount to equipping yourself for a weekend backpacking trip. Most of the heavy and expensive items are easily available on rent, so you don’t actually have to travel Nepal with a cartload of gears. We have endeavored to formulate a categorical checklist that gives you a tentative idea regarding the gears and accessories mandatory for you during the trek. The list could vary depending upon the kind of trek you pursue, the terrain, weather conditions and time of the year. For instance, you don’t need the camp-trek equipments when you are on a tea-house trek. This listing below simply serves as a guideline and you can always have your own checklist. It is always preferable to pack light and the key to this is to carry the gears and accessories that have multidimensional uses.

CLOTHING (Core & Lower body)

Water-proof (breathable fabric) jacket, Poncho or Umbrella

Hard shell pants (breathable fabric- 1 set), preferably that zips from top and bottom which can be worn over boots without getting undressed, in case of abrupt weather changes

Duffle bag (will be provided by Marron Treks as a complimentary gear and you needn't return it )

Pack cover (to protect your gears from getting wet)

Day sack/Nylon stuff sack

Sleeping Bag/ Silk liner (will be provided by Marron Treks but should be returned after the trip)

Water bottle

Good head torch along with spare batteries and bulbs

Maps, compass and a guide book

Trekking poles

Miscellaneous Bits

The items below could seem trivial, but if you don’t have them, you might just find

yourself sticky and stinky, which isn’t actually good for you!

Toiletries

Quick-drying camp towel

Detergent powder/bar

Toilet paper

Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 20+) & Lip balm

Pocket knife

Sewing/Repair Kit (for tent & mattress)

Emergency kit including a whistle, waterproof match/lighter

Padlocks for bags and lodge rooms

Stuff sacks

Earplugs

Candlesticks

Medicaments

It is important that you can include the medicines prescribed by your doctor. Below is just the generic list of medications. We advice you to always consult your travel doctor as you might be resistant or allergic to some medicines

Anesthetics (Ibuprofen/Aspirin)

Broad spectrum antibiotics tablets

Metronidazole and Antacids (for diarrohea /indigestion)

Broad spectrum ointments (Neosporin/ Clotrimazole/Gentamicin)

Antiseptic liquids (Dettol/Savlon)

Assorted band-aids

Small gauge pad

Roll of adhesive tape

Iodine tablets

Optional Carry

Nothing hard and fast about carrying the items in this list as they are not the basics. Yet, though not all, if you still manage to squeeze in some of these items on your carry, you will not regret as they might just come handy during the trek

Camera, memory card and battery charger

GPS unit Altimeters

Binoculars

Pee bottle for men (leak proof/wide mouth) & Pee funnel for women

Books and magazines

Departure Date

Marron Treks has calibrated fixed departure dates for all the trek packages. We operate group as well as individual/private treks. Please pick the most palpable date for you and book your trip now. If the dates below don’t fit your schedule, kindly contact us directly and let us know about your preference.

Trip Facts

Starting Price: USD XXXX (On request)

Group Size: 01 – 12 Pax

Trip Grade: Moderate

Accommodation: Camping/Tea House

Transportation: Private Car/Jeep and Flight

Highest Elevation: Gokyo Ri (5357m)

Lowest Elevation: Kathmandu(1400m)

Average Walking Hours per Day: 6 Hours

Trek Commences From: Lukla (2840m)

Trek Terminates At: Lukla (2840m)

Best Months: Jan-Jun & Sep-Dec

Trip Highlights

Explore the immaculate side of Kathmandu city visiting the renowned historical and cultural landmarks - all listed in the UNESCO world’s heritage list

Scenic flight to Lukla; probably one of the most picturesque aerial journeys you have had so far